The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1887-09-03

nightmares. and to him tho newspaper
item. which he had seen in the MORN
ing paper. was always uppermost in
his dreams when he awoke.
Suddenly he Jumped up in his can.
opted bed He was sure he heard a
noise. Yes. there it was again-in the
library. which was just below his bed.
room. It was the sound of his rcvolv.
ing desk chair, and he remembered
distinctly Of telling ia mes to oil it, be-
cause the squeaking noise made him
nervous. He listened intently to as
sure himself that 1t was no idle fancy.
and a. the sound was repeated several
times, he determined to investigate.
Charles Clayton was a brave man.
but not reckless. He did not know
who or how many men he had
to deal with, and so he
carefully examined the large revolver
which he took from under his pillow,
to see that it was in perfect order, and
then proceeded down the heavily cur
petsd stair very cautiously.
The library door was partially ajar.
and the sight that met his gaze as he
looked through the crack made him
shudder. There at his desk sat q
heavy, broad shouldered man. his face
covered with black mask, and
through the two holes pair of CLEAN
ing eyes flashed restlessly. Beside
him lay heavy revolver. and in his
hand he held picture.
Presently he looked around the room
as if in search Of something, and Their
spying ashelf with several bottles upon
it, seemed satisfied. and crossed the
room to where they were.
II wonder what the man wants with
those fire extinguishers, thought Clay
ton.
The burglar. for SUCH he proved to
be, removed the cork and placed the
bottle to his lips. The banker al
most laughed outright, for he
saw the fellows mistake--he
had taken the hand grenade for
a decanter of liquor. The man looked
at it, smelled of it, and then put the
bottle back with an angry, as we'll as
disgusting, gesture. He started back
toward the desk, but before he could
reach it the banker saw his opportu-
nifty and stepped out before him. and,
presenting his revolver, ordered him to
throw up his hands. The burglar, with
a muttered curse, sprang upon Clay
ton, intending undoubtedly to surprise
his adversary, knowing probably that
this was the safest way of overcoming
him.
A terrible struggle for mastery en-
sued, and the big burglar was fast get
ting the better Of his man, when sud-
denly his grip loosened. and he would
have fallen heavily to the floor had not
the banker caught him. Clayton was
surprised, being unable to comprehend
the turn of affairs.
He removed the mask from the man 8
face and discovered on his right cheek
a livid scar. Then he started back as
If struck.
The mans lips moved.
CHARLES.
"My God! Then l was right. John,
John, what is the meaning of this?'
"Charlie. I'm afraid that was poison
I drank. feel like-like I'm dying"
mo, no; not that!'
Eyes, Charlie, l feel it Let me call
you brother again.
ITO your hearts content"
Listen, brother l want to tell you
how I-ugh"-and he shuddcred oil
over" killed your father I've got no
right to call him father. Hc marked
me for life by that blow across the
face. and when you ordered me from
the house was in q passion. l be-
lievc could have killed YOU, too. l
waited for him. and When father
your father-came out Of tbs house
and saw me by the mill pond washing
the blood from my face. he fe'a 1T me.
We had it up and down. He struck
me square on my wound, and started
the blood again. I tore at him; ]
picked up a coupling pin from tho
railroad switch that runs into the old
mill, and, God help me, I killed him."
His voice grew hoarse, and Il was
plain that his lifc's fame was 81 alter
ing the last time.